If you are just getting started in your own Internet business then you need to
understand the basics of email and how to use it in your business. This article
will cover the basics of common e-mail language, Plus? the good, the bad, and the
ugly of e-mail etiquette.
Here are some tips about what to say and more importantly what not to say in
electronic mail. E-mail is a funny hybrid, something between a phone call and a
letter. It's great because it is usually quick and informal, but can be a problem
because you don't see the person's facial expressions or hear a tone of voice. So,
here are a few words of advice:
- When you send a message, watch the tone of your language. - Don't use all capital
letters, because it looks like you are SHOUTING - If someone sends you an incredibly
obnoxious and/or offensive message, most likely it's just sarcasm that didn't come
across that way.
There is also something we call flaming. Flaming is pointless and excessive outrage
in electronic mail. Unfortunately, this is very common. My advice is that when you
receive flaming, instead of responding right away, sit on it, and don't flame back.
You will look like a jerk. You will never regret not sending an angry message, but
you will most likely regret sending it. People have no idea what you intended to
say, only what you did say. Subtle sarcasm and irony are close to impossible to
use. If you want to make sure they know you are joking, use a smiley J. (Colon,
dash, right parenthesis)
Always keep in mind that e-mail is only relatively private, not totally. You
always take the chance that your email will be forwarded on to someone else. So
never write anything that you wouldn't mind seeing on the next message board.
You will often see abbreviations in e-mail the same as you would on message boards,
mainly because people are generally lazy typists. Here are just a few of the most
widely used:
AFAIK As far as I know BTW By the way IANAL I am not a lawyer, (but?) IMHO In
my humble opinion ROTFL Rolling on the floor laughing RSN Real soon now RTM Read
the Manual TIA Thanks in advance
Another biggy in Internet Marketing is spamming! Spam is otherwise known as unwanted
e-mail, or junk e-mail that usually promotes unsavory advertising for get-rich-quick
schemes or even pornographic offers. The practice of sending these unwanted e-mails
is called spamming. E-mail is only considered spam if it is unsolicited. Meaning
if you ask for it directly or indirectly, then it isn't spam. My advice - Don't
ever spam. You could be kicked off your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and worse.
Lastly, you need to understand about viruses. These days most viruses are spread
via e-mail, as attachments to mail messages. Therefore don't ever open attachments
from people you don't know, and even people you do know if you weren't expecting
it. The Melissa virus from the spring of '99 replicated itself by sending copies
of itself to the first 50 people in your address book, people who know you. It is
also advisable to get a firewall (a security system for your computer), if you are
going to spend any significant time on the Internet, especially if you have a cable
modem.
Hopefully, these tidbits of advice will help you in your Internet adventures.
So remember, always play nice, take precautions, and treat others as you would like
to be treated.
